Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-08-13

SATURDAY, AUGUST ID. 1887.
WORKING THE SOIL, MULCH
ING, ETC.
TO the Editor of the Kansas Farmer;
The Missouri Valley Horticultural
Society at its last meeting had for dis
cussion the effect Of drouth on trees and
plants, mode of cultivation, ETC., Mr..
Chadwick. representative of Colman's
Rural Woyld, claiming that two inches Of
thorough cultivation was Ear better than
deeper cultivation; that where you
plowed to the depth of eight to ten
inches you destroyed the capillary attrac-
ton, This was endorsed by Mr.. F. Well
house and others. The only implement
now in use that know of is the Planet
Jr. hand cultivator that would not pillow
deeper than two inches. My experience
has been that deep cultivation is better
than shallow, though it depends some
what on the soil how deep we should
pillow. AS we have had so much dry
weather the past few years, this subject
is an interesting one and should be
thoroughly discussed by all practical men
interested in agriculture and horticulture,
also the best mulch, it's effect, etc. It
seems to me where the soil has been
thoroughly cultivated that mulching
would be very beneficial, even If the earth
is dry, as it holds what moisture there is,
and the sun does not strike the soil with
such intense heat, and the earth does not
become near as hot, and scorch trees
and plants, as without mulch. Let us
hear from all. Let us hear from you.
Respectfully, 81. Fl. K.
Banner Springs, Wyandotte Co.
We agree with our correspondent:
This is an important matter. AS to
capillary attraction in soil, it will hardly
bear the test of critical analysis. But
this we believe is good doctrine: That
in preparing ground for an orchard or
fruit garden, the deeper the soil is worked
the better, provided % that the ground is
well drained, and ca that the subsoil is
well crushed and not brought to the sur
face. After the ground is set in trees or
vines, the cultivation ought to be shallow,
because only two objects are to be accom-
plished by it in good culture, destruction
of weeds and keeping the surface in good
condition to receive and retain moisture.
The philosophy of this is understood
when we recognize the facts of root
growth. While some roots-the larger
ones go deeper into the soil-others and
the most delicate and necessary, the
feeders, lie near the surface, and these are
disturbed by deep working of the soil.
II the ground were broken thoroughly
three feet deep and to that depth made
rich in plant food we'll mixed, Gf the plot
be first well draineO the roots would 60
deeper, many Of them. The principal
reason why nearly all the fine roots are
near the surface is that the subsoil is
hard and not good feeding ground. So it
is, that where ground, in the first place,
is not broken deep, shallow working
is afterwards necessary if we would save
tne surfacs roots from multilation. As
to mulching, our experience has been all
In its favor. But to be permanently
beneficial, it ought to be done methodi-
cally. The best mulching is earth-not
earth taken up from among the trees and
piled around them, but brought from
some other place and piled about the
trees extending out four to six feet. The
depth OF the mulching, if earth, ought to
be at least six inches, and more will be
better. But keep it there, and keep it
loose and clean. A very good mulching
is made of dry straw packed about the
tree or vine and covered with soil enough
to keep it in place until it rots and be-
comes part of the soil. The writer of
this now has case in point-two red
cedar trees, set out three years ago, same
size, same time, and about twenty feet
apart. One was mulched heavily with
straw that had been used in packing in
barrels. It was tramped compactly
around the tree, extending outward about
two and half feet and covered with bits
of boards kept in place by bricks and
stones as weight. The other was not
mulched. About two months afterwards,
in July, the ground was sodded-the sod
laid down in pieces about two inches in
thickness. The sod was laid up over the
edge of the straw, leaving to within two
feet OF the tree, and the rest of the space
was filed with rich soil thrown over the
straw and boards. That tree grew vigor-
ously, and is now eight feet high and five
feet wide. The other tree grew slowly
and slenderly, and makes but little show.
Mulching ought to be put down to stay.
1t encourages new roots to start out from
the trunk above those before growing,
and if it is removed, these roots are
exposed. The outer ends are in the
original soil, but the other end is not. To
avoid this, the mulching, if it be straw,
ought to be put down and covered with
earth, and the earth ought to be hauled
from another place, unless, in preparing
The ground, ridges were left between the
rows for this purpose.
Wehave some experience here in mulch
ing. Before mulching, the ground should
be cultivated thoroughly. Then the
should cover all the timber
ground. Manure mulching is good
enough. After mulching once, the
policy should not be deviated
from. All cultivation of the ground after
mulching should consist in pulling the
weeds and grasses by hand. The mulching
should be deep. Hshould be replenished
pqch cnrinO Woodc ond rrrocooe Ill =.